by Ken Casellas
A South Australian-bred five-year-old who has won in three States and has had the services of 19 different drivers in a 50-start career is an interesting runner in the 1730m Get Ready To Rock Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He is the Sportswriter gelding King Crocker, who has been unplaced at seven starts since winning in very modest company in Albany early last February.
King Crocker is a recent addition to the Oakford stables of eight-time WA premier trainer Ross Olivieri and he failed to flatter first-up in a C3-class event over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday of last week when he revealed good gate speed and raced in the breeze for the first 700m before gaining the one-out, one-back trail. He wilted over the final 300m to finish 11th behind Hy Fyfe.
“He’s had one run for me and I was quite pleased with the run,” Olivieri said. “I think he gets his chance this week. I think he will lead and win.”
Indeed, King Crocker has the breeding to succeed. He is a half-brother to Major Crocker, who has earned $639,312 from 26 wins and 21 placings from 82 starts. Major Crocker won a 2536m heat of the Interdominion championship at Gloucester Park in December 2015 and he finished second to New Zealand superstar Lazarus in the Victoria Cup at Melton last January.
King Crocker, whose eight wins from 50 starts have been in moderate company, has earned just $30,105. He will be driven on Friday night by Chris Voak.
Olivieri also expects a strong showing from Cullen Class in the 2130m Cosmic Horizons Pace for three-year-old Westbred fillies.
Cullen Class will be handled by Voak from barrier four in a very open affair. She has managed just two placings from ten starts.
“Her latest run was very good,” Olivieri said. “She breezed and fought on really well (when fourth behind Susie Rocks). She’s not out of this race; she’s a chance.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
